Bobby Murphy Looking For "Right People" For Inaugural Hearts Roster
Murphy: "I want to make sure that we get the right characters through the door."
Bobby Murphy is looking for the right players to be part of Portland Hearts of Pine.
Murphy, who has experience in MLS, USL Championship, USL League One, and MLS Next Pro, was named the inaugural head coach and sporting director of Hearts.
He now has the monumental task of building a roster for the team that will kick off in 2025.
“We've got two [signings] through the door right now,” Murphy told The Blazing Musket at Wednesday’s jersey reveal. “I just think there are players everywhere, and I want to make sure that we get the right characters through the door, you know what I mean?
“Characters in the sense of not only playing style and profiles but the right people who share this vision of what the club means.”
Hearts have made it clear that they’re a club that wants to be deeply rooted in the community. The club’s mantra—Lead With Your Heart—summarizes what they hope to accomplish.
Murphy believes in the vision.
“I think clubs should take a stand,” He said. “I think clubs should represent their community. I think clubs can be highly influential with their following, their power, and their reach to make positive changes in the world around them and not just take tickets at the door. So hopefully that's what we can build here.”
When asked about his personal beliefs, Murphy mentioned Right to Dream’s motto: Talent is equally distributed; opportunity is not.
“I just think it's really important that as a club, me as a person running a club, it's important that everyone gets the respect they deserve,” Murphy said. “They get the chances they deserve. They get the attention and the time that they deserve.”
Murphy is “looking everywhere” for possible signings.
He wants players with league experience but also aims to be a younger team. He believes that “the American college player is a little bit undervalued” as many who take that path are “hungry and just want a chance.”
“I want kids who aspire to things,” Murphy explained. “If their stay here is only a year, two years, and they move on to something bigger and they get bigger paydays, perfect. Everybody's done their job.”
Murphy added that he’s “not closing any doors on anybody.” The goal is to add “the right people with the right skill set.”
Fitzpatrick Stadium will be a factor as he builds his team. The narrow field and unpredictable weather could dictate the game model.
While on stage, Murphy mentioned that Hearts might play a 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1.
“I think we want to press,” Murphy said. “We want to get in people's faces. Listen, I've watched some clubs and they're at home and they're playing 5-4-1, and they're all packed in their own half. People don't pay money to watch that.
“We're going to be on the front foot. We want to be aggressive. I'm sure there'll be some nights where it'll be like, oof. But yeah, I think that's going to be our DNA, really just want to be on the front foot, aggressive.”
Murphy noted that he’s “humbled” to be part of the Hearts organization. The staff has delivered on promises and fans have fully embraced him.
He—and the rest of the organization—are now doing all they can to make 2025 a success.
“Now's the hard part, just not letting anybody down,” Murphy said. “Going out and giving them something they can be proud of. [I’m] just grateful, humbled.”